The 85-year-old Pope announced his decision in Latin during a meeting of Vatican cardinals on Monday morning.

"After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths due to an advanced age are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry," he told the cardinals.

Yeah, he was behind the scenes during the last 5-10 years of PJII's life and maybe he realized that declining body and most importantly a declining mind are not in the best interests of the church. My guess is he has something like Alzheimer's where he knows he will not mentally be able to function. Interesting for sure.

However, in today's world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.

I noticed that the new pope could be Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah, the first black pope in 1500 years, who is relatively spritely at 64. I think the tradition of nominating so many popes that are already old and frail makes no sense.

At this point I'm pretty resistant to the idea that the reason Benedict is resigning is because of health.

bh brought up the question of Alzheimer's, which is compelling...

But the election of a pope through the conclave of Cardinals is considered to be ordained by God. That is - or SHOULD be - no small matter; it isn't unreasonable to suggest that this resignation is then in a sense a rejection of what God has ordained.

The first pope to "legitimately" resign, Celestine, in 1294, had to issue a papal decree granting that the pope may actuall resign. There has only been one other resignation of the papacy since then.

*Disclaimer: I'm Catholic by birth and baptism, but no papal historian.

shafnutz05 wrote:How about they elect a Pope that will end the child-abuse causing, human nature-suppressing vow of celibacy? That's a good start.

i don't believe in the foundations of christianity, but for my wife, i'm having my daughter baptized and we'll be catholic church goers. however...i will not support, under any circumstances, the pope or any other catholic figure head to be revered in my household.

Re-sign. The Pope re-signed with Vatican City. 10 years, 87 million. God told him no one deserves more than Crosby. Pope wasn't sold on it until he was offered a no-movement clause and a guaranteed spot in heaven.